1. Ohio High School Soccer Rules - 2014
SOCCER – The International Sport
NFHS Soccer Rules
FIFA Laws of the Game
Ohio High School Soccer Rules
CJK - 07/01/2014

2. NFHS Soccer
RULES
NOT X
LAWS

3. (Page 73 of the 2014-15 NFHS Soccer Rules Book)
USSF – NFHS Comparison
70+ Differences
(Page 73 of the NFHS Soccer Rules Book)
USSF
NFHS
LAWS RULES
Advice to
Referees Playing Rules
4th Official Reserve Official
Match Game
Technical Area Coaching & Team Area 3

4. USSF NFHS USSF – NFHS Comparison
Send off Disqualification
Impede Progress Obstruction
Ball Out-of-Play Dead Ball
Ball In-Play Live Ball
Extra Time Overtime 4

5. Includes Playing Rule Situations
NFHS Soccer
18 RULES
Includes Playing Rule Situations
Rules 1-17 correlate with FIFA/USSF Laws 1-17
Playing Rule Situations (Rules 1-17)
…. extended explanations of a Rule and are an integral and viable part of the Rules themselves
…. many of the Rule nuances can only be found and are often hidden in the Playing Rule Situations
Rule 18 …. Definition of Playing Terms

6. Definition of Playing Terms
NFHS Soccer
Definition of Playing Terms
Rule 18
Disqualification …. Not ejection …. Not Send-Off
(Send off means being asked to leave the field temporarily)
Obstruction …. Not Impeding Progress of Opponent
Illegally Equipped …. Item not allowed by Rule
Improperly Equipped …. Item being worn incorrectly
Shielding …. Legal, but obstruction is illegal

7. OHSAA Referee Uniform Game officials shall all be dressed alike
Current Knowledge
Game officials shall all be dressed alike
Gold jersey … only change if in conflict with field players of either team … only use red or black alternate
Black shorts, which may have the USSF logo …. or all black long trousers (cold weather)
Black socks with white stripes
Predominantly black shoes with black laces
If worn …. Solid black cap …. No logos

8. Which Referee Uniform? Alternate Alternate MANDATORY Not Allowed8

9. OHSAA Referee Uniform Game officials shall:
Wear the OHSAA soccer officials patch on the left breast pocket.
No other emblems and patches are permitted on the officiating uniform.
NOT wear anything that players are not allowed to wear … (except watches and cap)
Jewelry may not be worn except for a medical ID, wedding band and watch.

10. NFHS Officiating Systems
Diagonal System (Same as FIFA/USSF)
One Referee (with whistle)
Two Assistant Referees (flags, no whistle)
Dual System (Typical at Non-Varsity Matches)
Two Referees (each with whistle, equal authority)
Double Dual System (Isolated Use)
Three Referees (each with whistle, equal authority)

11. NFHS Official Signals Assistant Referee Signals (Same as FIFA/USSF)
Flag Signals – Communication to Referee Only
Referee Signals (All Officiating Systems)
Hand signals to the Players (Same as FIFA/USSF)
…. telling players what to do next
Additional hand signals to players, coaches, fans
…. Indicating what has just occurred

12. To The Referee AR Signals FOUL THROW-IN GOAL KICK CORNER KICK
SUBSTITUTION
OFFSIDE
OFFSIDE - FAR
OFFSIDE - CENTER
OFFSIDE - NEAR
FOUL

13. To Players Referee Signals Hand signals always required ➤ ➤ ➤
START THE CLOCK
TIME-OUT
THROW-IN
(Point to Direction)
GOAL KICK
(Point to Goal Area)
CORNER KICK
(Point to Corner)
CAUTION or
DISQUALIFICATION
DIRECT FREE KICK
INDIRECT
FREE KICK
PLAY ON
GOAL & KICK-OFF
(Point to Center Mark)
PENALTY KICK
(Point to Spot)
Hand signals always required

14. Referee Signals
Hold yellow card overhead with arm fully extended for all cautions.
Hold red card overhead with arm fully extended for all direct disqualifications.
Show yellow card followed immediately with a red card (separately) for second cautions to players and/or substitutes … indicates dismissal from the field of play (remain on bench).
Show yellow card followed immediately with a red card (separately) for second cautions to coaches and bench personnel … indicates dismissal from the vicinity of the field and bench area.

15. Bridge Training On-Line Test on-Line
1-1 In an OHSAA soccer game it is acceptable for the officials to wear green jerseys, when there is a color conflict with both teams.
A. TRUE B. FALSE
1-2 If three officials have been assigned to a game to run the diagonal system (one whistle) and one official can no longer continue, it is acceptable for the two remaining officials to switch to a dual system using two whistles.